Limits on foreign bank stakes hinted

China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) Vice-Chairman Shi Jiliang hinted that China could limit foreign banks' equity stakes to just two mainland lenders, according to a report in China Business News. Expressing concern over the rash of stake-buying across the country, Shi said China's banks needed "time and space" to prepare for competition with foreign rivals. Analysts said Shi wanted to see foreigners get serious about helping Chinese banks to modernize, not simply add them to their stock of portfolio investments.